The coin toss seems like it should be the most simple part of a football game, right?
Each and every game starts with one of these. A team calls heads or tails and that will decide who gets to receive the football throughout the game. Sounds easy enough.
But there’s a lot more that goes into it. It’s an essential part of how any game plays out. One wrong from a team captain and their team could start slow or go into the half without the ball down a few scores. If an official mishears a player? It could throw everything off.
It’s happened before. Last year, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott told referee Walt Anderson that the team would defer to the second half after winning the toss. But Anderson misheard him and said the Los Angeles Rams would get the ball in the first and second halves. It was eventually corrected and Prescott made sure to say “DEFER” loud and clear a week later. But still, mistakes were made.
So just to make sure we’re clear now, here are the rules for the coin toss for Super Bowl LV, per the NFL’s rulebook.
Not more than three minutes before the kickoff of the first half, the Referee, in the presence of both team’s captains (limit of six per team, active, inactive or honorary) shall toss a coin at the center of the field. Prior to the Referee’s toss, the call of “heads” or “tails” must be made by the captain of the visiting team, or by the captain designated by the Referee if there is no home team. Unless the winner of the toss defers his choice to the second half, he must choose one of two privileges, and the loser is given the other.
The two privileges are:
(a) The opportunity to receive the kickoff, or to kick off; or
(b) The choice of goal his team will defend.
If the coin does not turn over in the air or the toss is compromised in any way, the Referee shall toss it again. The captain’s original call may not be changed.
Penalty: For failure to comply: Loss of coin-toss option for both halves and overtime, and loss of 15 yards from the spot of the kickoff for the first half only.
There you have it, folks.